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Our Veterinarians

The North Paw Animal Hospital team of skilled veterinarians welcomes you to our practice. We are proudly serving the Durham area. At North Paw Animal Hospital, it is our daily privilege to provide quality vet care to your cherished pet, with compassion and competence. We hope to ensure a positive impact on our patients, pet owners and the local community.

Dr. Ginger Stell
Medical Director

Dr. Ginger Stell graduated from North Carolina State University in 2013. She is a native North Carolinian and worked as a chemist and a (human) cancer researcher prior to pursuing a career in veterinary medicine. She practiced in coastal North Carolina before joining North Paw in 2015. Her special interests are in feline medicine, infectious diseases, and preventative medicine. In her free time she prefers to be outside, and particularly loves to hike. She shares her home with three furry felines, Petey, Brie, and Jade. She considers herself "Mom" to the Stray Fund kitties while they wait for their forever homes.

Dr. Suzanne Alton

Dr. Suzanne Alton grew up in Louisville, KY and received her DVM in 1986 from Auburn University. She joined North Paw and became half of a 2 doctor practice in 1990. Dr. Alton likes working with both dogs and cats, and has professional interests in endocrine diseases, weight management, and the wonderful variety of ways to help people and their pets daily in general practice! When she is not at work she enjoys attending music and theater events and traveling. Dr. Alton has shared her home with a variety of dogs and cats and hopes to always have furry family members.

Dr. Cindy Muse

Dr. Cindy Muse graduated from North Carolina State University in 1993, having grown up in Pinebluff, N.C. She practiced in Pennsylvania and Missouri before returning home to N.C. She particularly enjoys working with large dogs and their special medical challenges. She and her husband, Spencer, share their home with one silly goldendoodle and two Stray Foundation alumni cats. In her free time she plays the clarinet in the Durham Community Concert Band, enjoys fly fishing and is an obsessive knitter.

Dr. Karen Heffernan

Dr. Karen Heffernan graduated from North Carolina State University in 2005. She had previously worked as a veterinary assistant at North Paw and returned to us as a veterinarian in 2006. She and her husband, John, have three girls, Claire, Nora and Emily. The five of them can be found taking hikes in the Eno with their two dogs, CiCi and George, or snuggling up with one of their three Stray Fund adopted cats, Homer, Cleo and Gretzky. Dr. Heffernan enjoys working with both dogs and cats, and has an interest in geriatric medicine, behavior and promoting the human-animal bond.

Dr. Emily King

Dr. Emily King graduated from North Carolina State University in 2015. She worked at North Paw as an assistant while in veterinary school and returned as a full-time doctor in January 2016. Dr. King enjoys the variety of each day but has special interests in internal medicine and wound care. In her free time, she enjoys reading, hiking, exploring local restaurants, and home projects. She shares her home with 2 dogs and 5 cats; three of her pets have only one eye.

Dr. Jessica Briley

Dr. Jessica Briley graduated from North Carolina State University in 2015. Her special interests include internal medicine, soft tissue surgery, pain management, and anesthesia. She and her wife, Kim, have two children, Olive and Ben, three dogs (Grizzly, Duggan, and Shasta), and six chickens! In her free time Dr. Briley loves hobbies that get her outside, camping, or DIY projects.